Ryan Ashley

Title: Assistant
Professor of Animal ScienceMajor
Field of Interest:Reproductive Physiology with an emphasis
in recognition and maintenance of pregnancyE-mail
address: ryashley@nmsu.eduWeb Site: http://ryashley.nmsu.eduOffice
phone: 575-646-4135

Research: Our laboratory has two focus areas: progesterone’s actions mediated by membrane receptors and chemokines’ effects in early pregnancy and breast cancer. One goal of our laboratory is to elucidate the functions of membrane progesterone receptors (MPRs) in normal and compromised pregnancies, as well as their roles in reproductive cancers. The other focus area of our laboratory is the role that the chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and its ligand, CXCL12, play during early pregnancy, particularly implantation of trophoblast cells into maternal endometrium and subsequent development of the placenta. CXCL12/CXCR4 activation is associated with immune functions, cell survival and proliferation and vascularization. Abnormal placental growth and vascular development early in pregnancy leads to poor fetal growth and survival and can result in compromised health in the offspring later in life. Additionally, CXCL12 and CXCR4 are implicated in a number of reproductive cancers, with established roles in breast cancer metastasis and are hormonally regulated.